|
Instead of St. Thomas...sunbathe in Mustique
The experienceMustique, one of 30-plus islands in the St. Vincent-Grenadines island chain, is notable as much for what it has (endless beaches, mangrove forests, nature walks) as for what it lacks (high-rise hotels, cruise ships, scores of knickknack vendors trying to rip you off). Flights are available from Barbados, and once you land you can stay at Firefly, a hilltop inn that features in-room iPods, two swimming pools and private beachside cabanas. The inn's bar has hosted regulars Johnny Depp and Kate Moss, and the owner says you might even catch a glimpse of island resident Mick Jagger (if it's not past his bedtime). Keep in mind You must first fly to Barbados, which is a 4-and-a-half-hour flight from New York City (about the total travel time to St. Thomas), and then take a one-hour flight on Mustique Airways to the island. Details To stay: At Firefly, winter rates (Dec. 1 through April 30) range from $825 to $925 a night for two people. That may seem steep, but the rate includes breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, sunset snacks, dinner, a motorized buggy, snorkel equipment and round-trip air fare from Barbados to Mustique. Compare that with the Ritz-Carlton in St. Thomas (upon which nearly 500,000 U.S. tourists descended last year): Ocean-view rooms there start at $799 without any extras, making the Firefly a relative steal (784-488-8414; www.fireflymustique.com). |